My trip to Cuba

anonymouscuban

My wife and I went to Cuba two weeks ago. We went to the Province of Havana. The primary purpose of my trip was to meet my mother's family. I was born in the US and had never been there. I grew up listening to stories of the life my parents one had in Cuba. I wanted to go there and experience it myself, to see if I would feel a sense of connection to my roots.

I have to admit, I was not prepared for the conditions I found when we arrived. Much of everything is in disrepair. Honestly, there were parts of the city that looked like a war ground. Streets barely drivable, residential buildings that appeared that they had not been maintained in decades. I had been told times were tough but I never imagined to find what I saw. To be honest, on my second night there, I found myself in the bathroom of our hotel room crying from sadness. I was starting to regret of going to Cuba.

Things turned around on our third day there; I met my first relative in Cuba. It was my uncle Luis, my mother's youngest brother. I thought I would experience that awkwardness you have when you meet someone new. That somewhat nervous feeling, where you tend to be a bit guarded. That wasn't at all the case. I felt like I had known this man all my life. We spent the next 4 days with Luis and his family. We visited other family members and spent time and toured areas where my parents grew up and lived. I met uncles and aunts as well as 1st, 2nd and even 3rd cousins. Hell, old friends of my parents stopped by to greet us. Both my wife and I felt so welcomed by everyone. I finally felt that connection to Cuba I so desperately wanted all my life. I honestly felt at home in Cuba.

I left Cuba with very conflicting emotions. On the one hand, I was full of joy of meeting and connecting with my family. Seeing places I had only heard of in stories told by my parents. I got to know my family roots. But on the other hand, I also felt guilty to know that I was leaving my family in a place where they have so little and need so much. Worse, I was leaving to a place where you can have or do almost anything you can dream up, something so many of us take for granted. Part of me is very sad. However, I am consoled by seeing that my family seemed generally happy. I know that although my family is need of lot, they have adapted to life there and live happily. I am amazed how Cuban people find ways to get along no matter how easy or hard life gets in Cuba. It feels good to know I have that same spirit running in my blood.

I cherished my time there and can't wait to go back. I want to see more of Cuba next time. Maybe travel to Pinar del Rio, Cienfuego and even all the way down to Santiago de Cuba. If you do decide to go to Cuba, be prepared to find the conditions very rough. But also be prepared to fall in love with the country and it's beautiful people. I guarantee you will.

Now let's embark on a virtual tour of La Habana....

This is the Capitolio (Capital Building). Does it look familiar? It was made to look like a replica of the Capital Buidling in D.C. It is in the heart of Old Havana, about half a block from the Hotel we stayed at: Hotel Inglaterra.







Our hotel was right in the center of Old Havana, directly across the street from El Parque Central (Central Park). The hotel, "Hotel Inglaterra", is the oldest hotel in Old Havana. It was built in 1875.





It's one of several hotels in Old Havana that have been restored. The lobby and dining area were really pretty.

anonymouscuban

There are beautiful old churches in Havana as well. We visited several. Unfortunately, we were only able to enter one and only for a short time because they were getting ready for some ceremony.

This is the inside of a church in Old Havana:



This is church is in the town of Jaruco, which is about 25km from Old Havana. Jaruco was my parents home town. This is the church where my parents worshiped. They were also married in this church and it's where both my older siblings were baptized.



These next two shots are of a church in El Cotorro but I don't think it is still functioning. El Cotorro is the town my uncle lives in and is approximately 12km outside of Havana:





This last church is in the once opulent area of Miramar:



Miramar was once home to the rich that lived in Havana. Now, many of the large homes are being used as locations for various embassies and offices:

anonymouscuban

You can't go to Old Havana without visiting the Malecon. The Malecon is a road and seawall that stretches for 8km along the coast of Havana. Many people fish and bathe along the wall. The locals also congregate on the wall in the evening to enjoy the afternoon breeze that comes in off the coast.

anonymouscuban

At the end of the Malecon is the Castillo El Morro (Fort Morro). Its construction started in 1589 and finished in 1630 under the direction of Juan Bautista Antonelli, an Italian military engineer. It was the most important fort of the colonial times, not only from the strategic-military point of view, but also for its effectiveness as lighthouse and symbol of the city.

anonymouscuban

Every night, there is a ceremony on Castillo El Morro. At 9PM sharp, a Canon is fired:



You get great views of Havana from this vantage point:

anonymouscuban

The Castillo de la Real Fuerza (Castle of the Royal Force) is a fortress on the western side of the harbor in Havana, set back from the entrance. Originally built to defend against attack by pirates, it suffered from a poor strategic position too far inside the bay. The fortress is considered to be the oldest stone fortress in the Americas.

anonymouscuban

If you happen to find yourself in Old Havana, you are obligated to take a stroll down Calle Obispo (Obispo Street). Its a narrow street that travels through the heart of Old Havana's restored buildings. This was once Havana's retail district, where vendors would line the small cobblestone street selling fruits and vegetables, fabric and other fare.







If your looking for a place to have a drink or a bite, or you'd like to buy a few souvenirs, this is where to go.







The famed El Floridita restaurant is located here, it was one of Hemingway's favorite hangouts.

anonymouscuban

I can't make a post about Cuba without any pictures of the famed classic American cars. They are every where. In Old Havana, about half the cars are from the 50's and earlier. Outside of the city, there are few cars newer than 1958 on the road. It is like travel back in time.

It's surreal to see so many classic cars traveling on the road:





Many are nicely restored and you can tell their owners take pride in them:





Most are in decent condition... "Daily Drivers"





And then there are those that have seen better days:

anonymouscuban

There is plenty of transportation in Old Havana. You can opt for the local "Off and On" buses that cost about $3 to ride all day long. Or you can go with a taxi.

There are "traditional" taxis:



Or you can ride in a Coco Taxi (Coconut Taxi):







If you're daring, you can risk riding what my uncle says Cubans call the Coche de Muerte, the Death Coach because often the drivers are drunk

anonymouscuban

As I mentioned, there are beautiful buidlings and architecture in Havana:











But much of the country is in a bad state of disrepair:

eoren1

Great series - thanks for sharing.

Favorites are the 'classic' shots including those American cars


and



E

rookieshooter

That's probably the most I have ever seen of cuba. I love the blurry tunnel shot.

anonymouscuban

eoren1 wrote:

Great series - thanks for sharing.

Favorites are the 'classic' shots including those American cars


and



E

Thanks... The old cars were really amazing. It's almost surreal to see so many of them. It's quite amazing how they keep them running. Many of them have Russian engines in them or have home made parts kepping them running. My uncle is a mechanic there and he manufactures break pads from scratch in a small workshop in his backyard. It was interesting to see how people would come to his home to pick up pads or drop them off for him to repair. There is an entire underground network like this, where you can buy or barter for just about anything.

anonymouscuban

rookieshooter wrote:

That's probably the most I have ever seen of cuba. I love the blurry tunnel shot.

I got tons more. I left myself some room on the first page of the thread and I plan to add more pictures today so stay tuned.

kdog

Alex, thanks for an awesome expose' into a world few of us have ever seen. The old cars on the streets is just surreal, like a time machine.

Keep 'em coming!!

Cheers,
-joel

anonymouscuban

kdog wrote:

Alex, thanks for an awesome expose' into a world few of us have ever seen. The old cars on the streets is just surreal, like a time machine.

Keep 'em coming!!

Cheers,
-joel

Thanks Joel... glad you enjoyed them. Yeah, it was definitely an experience I won't soon forget. Everything about the place is surreal.

lizzard_nyc

Wow! Great series.
My husband is Cuban and he has never been to Cuba, I will go home and show him all these photos. We hope to take the kids there soon before it undergoes any major changes.

Like the others, the cars are my favorite, but to see such great photos of Malecon Mile and all the architecture, well that's just awesome. Can't wait to scroll through these again slowly.
You have to go back and capture some of the musicians and people dancing on your next trip:)

I have a soft spot already of your "Escuela Primaria-Jose Marti" photo

Can't wait to see more.

Awais Yaqub

Very nice photos, i really enjoyed looking at those cars and architecture !

anonymouscuban

lizzard_nyc wrote:

Wow! Great series.
My husband is Cuban and he has never been to Cuba, I will go home and show him all these photos. We hope to take the kids there soon before it undergoes any major changes.

Like the others, the cars are my favorite, but to see such great photos of Malecon Mile and all the architecture, well that's just awesome. Can't wait to scroll through these again slowly.
You have to go back and capture some of the musicians and people dancing on your next trip:)

I have a soft spot already of your "Escuela Primaria-Jose Marti" photo

Can't wait to see more.

Thanks Liz... glad you enjoyed the photos. We spent so much time with my family that we never got a chance to go out to a night club. Next time. I did get a picture of some musicians and other people which I will update the thread with later.

Stayed tuned.

dlplumer

Fabulous look into a Havana. Thanks for sharing. Your photos are all so well done. I particularly like seeing the architecture and the old american cars.

anonymouscuban

dlplumer wrote:

Fabulous look into a Havana. Thanks for sharing. Your photos are all so well done. I particularly like seeing the architecture and the old american cars.

Thanks Dan!

anonymouscuban

You will find many fine Cuban people along your walk on the Calle Obispo and else where in Cuba. In all the places I have travelled to, I have never felt more welcome or safe than in Cuba. Cubans are a very warm and outgoing people and they love to talk to tourists, especially Americans.

anonymouscuban

All around Havana you will find beautiful marble and bronze sculptures that serve as monuments to patriots of the past.

anonymouscuban

My wife and I are dog lovers and there is an abundance of dogs on the street. Some have owners but most are strays. All were very friendly and adorable... well, almost all of them:











This is not a dog, obviously. It's a "Jutia", a large tree dwelling rodent that is indigenous to Cuba. They eat only vegetation and are considered a delicacy by most Cubans. When I was a child, my father would tell me stories of when he would venture out into the country to hunt Jutias. This guy was just a baby but they grow to be about 20lbs. BTW, I didn't eat Jutia while I was in Cuba:

nightpixels

anonymouscuban wrote:

My wife and I are dog lovers and there is an abundance of dogs on the street. Some have owners but most are strays. All were very friendly and adorable... well, almost all of them:

Fantastic images, Alex! I very much enjoyed looking through them. Man, the picture above is so full of character!

anonymouscuban

nightpixels wrote:

Fantastic images, Alex! I very much enjoyed looking through them. Man, the picture above is so full of character!

Thanks Allen. Cuba is such an amazing place. The whole place is full of character. Honestly, that is probably the best word I could choose to describe Cuba: character.

This photo is also one of my favorites. It is such a good representation of life there.

I have different crop, below, but I think I like the portrait shot better. Do you agree?



Here is another favorite of mine:

nightpixels

anonymouscuban wrote:

I have different crop, below, but I think I like the portrait shot better. Do you agree?

No question. In the portrait version, one of the things that gives the image so much character is the old balcony and the clothes that are hanging from it in the upper left corner of the image. I also think that the building in the far background completes the image so well.

I like your other favorite too. Awesome!

lizzard_nyc

Cubano,
I got to enjoy your post again with the addtion of the people shots.
You are really making me want to go there--My favorite shot is the one of the old man on the park bench with his arms thrown up--I can practically hear him talking that Guajiro Cuban spanish "Cono pero que tu haces hijo!".

BTW I have emailed the link to this thread to my mother-in-law, and your thread is currently circulating a large portion of NYC and then detouring to Miami. Great series.

Just FYI my husband's family is from Oriente/Puerto Padre.

anonymouscuban

lizzard_nyc wrote:

Cubano,
I got to enjoy your post again with the addtion of the people shots.
You are really making me want to go there--My favorite shot is the one of the old man on the park bench with his arms thrown up--I can practically hear him talking that Guajiro Cuban spanish "Cono pero que tu haces hijo!".

BTW I have emailed the link to this thread to my mother-in-law, and your thread is currently circulating a large portion of NYC and then detouring to Miami. Great series.

Just FYI my husband's family is from Oriente/Puerto Padre.

Liz,

I'm glad you took another look and found the additional pictures. I added them because you did mention wanted to see people. Glad you enjoyed them.

You were close to what the old man on the bench was saying, but he was actually directing it as his partner who didn't want to be photographed. More like "Cono... mira que eres comemierda. Deja que el muchacho te tire una photo."

HAHA... I sent the pictures to a Cuban friend of mine at work and he said that his sister saw the email and wanted my permission to start circulating them to all the Cubans in Miami. I don't usually watermark my pictures but I asked him to hold off until I do because I am curious to see if they make their way back to me or someone that knows me.

Very cool.

lizzard_nyc

anonymouscuban wrote:

HAHA... I sent the pictures to a Cuban friend of mine at work and he said that his sister saw the email and wanted my permission to start circulating them to all the Cubans in Miami. I don't usually watermark my pictures but I asked him to hold off until I do because I am curious to see if they make their way back to me or someone that knows me.

Very cool.

Oh man,
I feel so bad about not getting your permission first-I didn't honestly even think about it. Just liked the pictures so much I wanted to share.
I wish I could remedy that--I told my MIL this morn not to send it to more people yet, but what's out is out already.
Grrrrrr sorry about that.

PS: "Comemierda" I laughed so hard when I read that--now that's Cuban!

anonymouscuban

I added a few more pictures on my first set of original posts and I thought I would finish the travelogue off with just a few more random favorites of mine:


"Neighborhood watch"


"Farmers Market, Cuban Style"


"Ad Men"


"Rush Hour"


"Cuban Prairie"


"Skyscrapers"


"City Walk"


"Commuting"


"Street Smarts"


"The Capital"

Hope you enjoyed your virtual trip through the Province of Havana. I hope to return in two years and visit other areas of this unique place.

- Alex